Week 8 features a plethora of divisional battles, including Sunday afternoon’s clash between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle leads the all-time series, 25-17, but San Francisco has won two of the last three. Kyle Shanahan has a career 2-4 record against the Seahawks while Pete Carroll is 14-7 against the Niners.
Russell Wilson is putting on an MVP-caliber season, completing 156 passes for 1,890 yards, 22 touchdowns (league-best), and six interceptions. Tyler Lockett moved into the top spot as the Seahawks’ leading receiver last week as he posted 200 yards and three touchdowns. So far this year, he has totaled 45 catches for 542 yards and a league-best seven scores. Not far behind him is second-year star DK Metcalf and his 519 catches for five touchdowns.
As for the Seattle rushing attack, Chris Carson has impressed with 470 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns, but he’s not expected to play in Week 8 due to an injury. Carlos Hyde is not expected to suit up either, leaving Travis Homer (questionable) and DeeJay Dallas as the team’s leading backs.
As for the 49ers, they’re coming off a huge win over the New England Patriots in Week 7. Jimmy Garoppolo has been quiet with just 83 completions for 1,012 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions. The ground game has been inconsistent at best with injuries to Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, and Jeff Wilson Jr. Mostert and Wilson are on IR while Coleman will return to the lineup in Week 8 after being activated on Saturday. Behind him, JaMycal Hasty and the team’s leading rusher, Jerick McKinnon, will round out the Nos. 2 and 3 slots.
Rookie Brandon Aiyuk has also impressed in all aspects of the game with 349 scrimmage yards and three scores. He’s due to have an expanded role this week with Deebo Samuel sidelined. George Kittle, the team’s leading receiver, will look to build on his impressive line of 35 catches, 435 yards, and three touchdowns. Kendrick Bourne is also expected to have an expanded role in the offense against a weak Seattle secondary.
Injuries
Seattle, a team that always lists dozens of players on their start-of-week injury report, has ruled just one player out for Sunday in cornerback Shaquill Griffin (concussion, hamstring). However, they have a trio of doubtful players in safety Ugochukwu Amadi (hamstring), running back Carlos Hyde (hamstring), and guard Mike Iupati (back). Furthermore, safety Jamal Adams (groin), running back Chris Carson (foot), running back Travis Homer (knee), defensive end Benson Mayowa (ankle), cornerback D.J. Reed (hamstring), and cornerback Ryan Neal (hamstring) are all questionable.
San Francisco is quite banged up heading into Sunday’s game. Beyond their IR placements (Mostert, Nick Bosa, Solomon Thomas), wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring), safety Jaquiski Tartt (groin), and RB Jeffery Wilson (ankle) have all been ruled out for Week 8. Linebacker Kwon Alexander (ankle), wide receiver Richie James (ankle), and defensive end Kentavius Street (illness) are listed as doubtful while safety Jimmie Ward (quadricep) is questionable.
Game Info
Date: Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020
Start Time: 1:25 p.m. PT
Location: Seattle, Wash.
Stadium: CenturyLink Field
TV Info: FOX
Betting Odds | Sponsored by Jazz Sportsbook
Point Spread: SF +1.5 (-110) | SEA -1.5 (-110)
Moneyline: SF +100 | SEA -130
Over/Under: O 54 (-110) | U 54 (-110)
The spread is incredibly narrow here, with the Seahawks favored by just 1.5 points. That’s an incredibly small margin of expected victory for the best team in the NFC. Seattle should win by at least two scores.
As for the total score, take the over. Seattle possesses an explosive offense and lacks a solid defense, making the over a very enticing bet here.
Prediction
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks will continue to prove that they are the best team in the NFC with a commanding two-score victory over the reigning conference champions.
Final Score: Seahawks 34, 49ers 24
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